Elissa sat by herself for a moment on a dirt-covered alley behind a church in Mozambique. Her Gospel Outreach (GO) Team had just finished their final outreach event, and she still had two Hope magazines left in her backpack.
She contemplated what to do with them, and decided to spend some time in prayer, asking God for His wisdom and guidance.
That night, on her way to the team’s farewell dinner, she heard a voice call to her from across the street.
When she looked over, she saw a woman dressed in traditional Muslim clothing. Elissa felt like this was God’s answer to her prayer.
As she crossed the street the woman introduced herself as Fatima.*
“I felt like calling you, I don't know why. My life is hopeless. I have six children and I don't know what else to do. I can't even take them to school because I don't have money,” Fatima said.
“I didn’t know how you could help, but I felt compelled to call out to you.”
Elissa told her she could help by sharing what fills her own life with hope. She pulled the two magazines out of her backpack and began to talk about God’s love, and the impact it has had on her life. As she spoke, Fatima’s eyes began to fill with tears.
“I could tell you had a different light,” she said. “I realized it when I called out to you, and the clothes I was wearing didn’t scare you off.”
Elissa smiled, and hugged Fatima.
“Of course I wouldn’t be scared of you. You’re my sister!” she replied.
The two of them continued to hug, and Fatima took the Hope magazines with her so she could continue to read and discover more about Jesus’ love for her.
Elissa sat by herself for a moment on a dirt-covered alley behind a church in Mozambique. Her Gospel Outreach (GO) Team had just finished their final outreach event, and she still had two Hope magazines left in her backpack.
She contemplated what to do with them, and decided to spend some time in prayer, asking God for His wisdom and guidance.
That night, on her way to the team’s farewell dinner, she heard a voice call to her from across the street.
When she looked over, she saw a woman dressed in traditional Muslim clothing. Elissa felt like this was God’s answer to her prayer.
As she crossed the street the woman introduced herself as Fatima.*
“I felt like calling you, I don't know why. My life is hopeless. I have six children and I don't know what else to do. I can't even take them to school because I don't have money,” Fatima said.
“I didn’t know how you could help, but I felt compelled to call out to you.”
Elissa told her she could help by sharing what fills her own life with hope. She pulled the two magazines out of her backpack and began to talk about God’s love, and the impact it has had on her life. As she spoke, Fatima’s eyes began to fill with tears.
“I could tell you had a different light,” she said. “I realized it when I called out to you, and the clothes I was wearing didn’t scare you off.”
Elissa smiled, and hugged Fatima.
“Of course I wouldn’t be scared of you. You’re my sister!” she replied.
The two of them continued to hug, and Fatima took the Hope magazines with her so she could continue to read and discover more about Jesus’ love for her.